Last night, Duncan told me that the plane would be ready after breakfast. There was something he needed to be back to New York to do. I didn't ask what, though I wondered who. It's over. Just like the Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, and the Jonas Brothers...life moves on. He doesn't owe me an explanation. He doesn't owe me anything. His debt is paid.
After my shower, I braid my wet hair, dress, pack, and do my best to clean up the torn shreds of my posters, scooping them and many scattered hairpins all into the trashcan. It's as I'm prying the last of the tacks from the wall that my bedroom door opens.
With the same confident, almost cocky smirk he's had since the first time I saw him, Duncan looks at me. I turn away, unable to gaze back. I won't. I've already picked up the pieces of my heart. It's time to move on.
If only I had my own airline ticket.
Stop making childish wishes. Their time is over too.
"Kimbra, what happened to your posters?"
I take a deep breath and shrug. Still looking at the wall and the tack, I reply, "I decided I'm a little too old for boy bands."
He takes a step closer. "But they were cute. And now I know what to get you for Christmas. I'll be watching for NSYNC reunion playlists."
I straighten my neck and face him head-on. "Maybe the next guy I bring home won't think they’re cute. Better safe than sorry."
Duncan's face contorts but for only a millisecond. "I see your point." He turns toward the suitcase open on the bed. "Are you packed?"
"Yes."
"Your mom has breakfast downstairs."
"I'm not hungry," I answer truthfully. "We should get back. You have plans."
He nods and lifts his phone. "Jorge said the plane will be ready by eleven."
The clock says nine-thirty, but it's over a half-hour drive to the airport. I guess with private aircraft the need for early arrival is eliminated. "Okay. I should say goodbye to everyone." I take a deep breath as Duncan takes one step closer. It's all I can do not to reach out and touch him. His faded t-shirt stretches over his wide chest and his gym shorts hang low. I know that if I lift his shirt, I'll see the defining V of his lower abdomen and the way it disappears under the nylon shorts.
"Kimbra, what's wrong?"
Swallowing, I shake my head and feign a smile. "Nothing. Thank you."
His green eyes narrow. "Don't thank me for coming here. I had a great weekend."
My entire body stiffens as he reaches out to touch me.
Immediately he pulls his hand away. "I'm sorry if you didn't," he says, still staring at me as his eyes grow a deeper shade of emerald.
"I did," I admit. "I promise I'll do my best to avoid any potential negative consequence with that woman at Buchanan and Willis if she contacts HR." I push away the growing sadness. "And I won't say anything to Mr. Buchanan."
"Kimbra?"
I purposely look directly at him. "Is there anything else, Mr. Willis?"
"Umm," he tilts his head. "No, Miss Jones. I think that about covers it."
I turn, close my suitcase, place it on the floor, and wheel it past Duncan as he stands barefooted for the last time in my bedroom. If only I could sweep him into the trashcan to never face him again.
As I carry my suitcase down the stairs, I work to mentally put Duncan in the same place as my posters. At the turn in the stairs, I come face to face with Susan.
"Kimberly, are you two leaving so soon?"
I smile, swallowing the threatening tears and remember Kevin's secret. "Yes, we need to get back." I put the suitcase down and reach out to my sister-in-law. As we hug, I say, "I'm so happy for you and Kevin."
Susan's eyes open wide as she pulls back. "He told you? You don't look happy. Is everything all right?"
"Yes, he told me. I promise, I haven't said a word."
She looks at me with the same bashful eyes she's always had. "This was Scarlett's weekend. I didn't want to take away from her."
"Well, her weekend is done. How are you feeling?"
"I'm finally feeling better. The first two months were rough." She smiles. "To be honest, I'm ready to get back to our place, too." Kevin and Susan have a home they built on the neighboring farm.
"I'm glad you guys were here. It was fun to be all together."
"Judy wanted everyone here. She kept saying that if I wasn't up for it...but I couldn't disappoint her." She rubs my arm. "Are you sure everything is okay?"
"Stop worrying about Scarlett and Mom and me. Take care of yourself and Kevin and that little Jones."
Susan leans in and kisses my cheek. "You too."
"Me?" I ask, genuinely curious.
"Yes, take care of yourself and Duncan. He's a keeper."
The lump in my throat springs back to life as I shrug. "Please keep me posted on everything. Now that I know about the little one, I want weekly updates. Oh, and you need to let me know when the shower will be and the due date! Oh my goodness, I don't even know when you're due."
"The middle of December." She giggles.
I have the sincerest smile I've had all morning. "A Christmas baby! I’ll definitely be sure to be home."
Susan hugs me. "I like him—Duncan. The whole family does. Maybe one day—"
I cut her off, unwilling to perpetuate the plus-one any longer than necessary. "You, Kevin, and my little niece or nephew. That's all you need to worry about."
As we part ways, I worry that she won't listen.
I know she won't.
If my sister-in-law weren't concerned about everyone else, she would have announced her pregnancy at Scarlett's bridal shower. She would have told everyone the news when we were all enjoying the pig roast and watching Kurt and Scarlett open presents. Instead, she let others have the spotlight.
Bringing Duncan to Indiana was a mistake.
My family may drive me nuts, but they’re too good to be lied to. Instead of letting Duncan disappear like the faceless Timothy, each and every one of them will have pieces of poster to clean up.
I step into the kitchen, ready to confess the truth about my plus-one.
Chapter Twenty
Duncan
”May I get you anything, a drink or snack, before we take off?" the woman in blue asks. Her name tag says Cindy.
"Kimbra?" I pose, very aware that she chose to sit in the seat across from me instead of next to me.
"No," she says. "Thank you, Cindy."
"Sir?" Cindy asks.
Though I have a new desire for alcohol, it is only eleven o'clock in the morning. "I think we're fine. We'll let you know if anything changes."
"I'll be just a phone call away," she says, nodding toward the handset in the armrest.
I can't help but stare toward Kimbra. She's still the most beautiful woman I know, yet the light in her eyes has dimmed, and for the life of me, I can't figure out what happened.
This morning when I woke, I lay for longer than I should just watching her sleep. The sheet had fallen, exposing the round swell of her breasts. With each breath, they moved as a soft swish of air exited her parted lips. I wanted to wake her and spend our last morning as we had the morning before.